Beloved in the Lord,
“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.”
–Psalm 104:24
The recent actions of the Republic of Turkey to convert the historic Hagia Sophia into a mosque has drawn worldwide attention. While this political effort may be happening over 6,000 miles from the Metropolis of San Francisco and you may feel removed from its impact, it is incumbent upon each of us to become educated about this situation and appropriately protest this action and encourage the reversal of this decision.
We know that Hagia Sophia was the pre-eminent Church in all Christendom from its opening in the sixth century. Besides its significance for Christians, it was and still is an architectural marvel, and a place that has opened her doors for millions of people throughout the world over the centuries to witness her majesty and beauty. The decision to convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque places that openness in jeopardy.
Let us beseech the Lord, through His Might and Wisdom, to bring about a peaceful resolution and may Hagia Sophia be reinstated as a museum that is filled with love, unity and acceptance.
With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco
About Hagia Sophia
Throughout history, the use of Hagia Sophia would change. From 537 to 1204 AD it was a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. It became a Roman Catholic Cathedral from 1204 – 1261 AD, and then from 1261 – 1453 AD it once again was a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. In 1453 AD, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and converted the Cathedral to a mosque. The icons were covered with plaster and the building was modified for Islamic prayer. It was through the leadership of the founding father of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, that Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum, thus allowing the doors to be opened for all to enter and appreciate this jewel which has continued for the past 85 years as a museum, a jewel which UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. During these 85 years, Hagia Sophia benefited from many restoration and research efforts, not least of which was the restoration of the iconography. Hagia Sophia has been intensely studied by architects, iconographers, engineers and archeologists, revealing its many treasures.
The Challenge
We stand at a crossroad as our beloved Hagia Sophia becomes a mosque through a ruling by Turkey's highest administrative court and actions by President Erdogan that annulled the 1934 presidential decree that made it a museum. Our physical distance cannot become an excuse for our silence. This is not about restoring Hagia Sophia to a church; this is about preserving an important piece of history and keeping it accessible to people of all backgrounds, of all faiths, and for all to behold this bastion of Byzantium. Please understand that the outcome of this tragic situation could have a devastating impact on other holy sites throughout the world.
How You Can Help
Now is the time for us to act with unity of voice and a clear vision for the future of Hagia Sophia. Here is how you can help:
- Pray! We know the power of prayer is stronger than any physical attack. When you rise in the morning and before you go to bed in the evening, pray for the deliverance of Hagia Sophia from this fateful decision.
- Pray the Akathist to the Theotokos - On Friday, July 24 at 5:00 p.m. PDT, all parishes have been asked by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Holy Eparchial Synod to pray the service of the Akathist to the Theotokos. In their Encyclical to the faithful of the Archdiocese, this is being called a “day of mourning” as our beloved Hagia Sophia opens as a mosque. The Mother of God is our fortress and we implore her swift aid and help during this time of great need. At the conclusion of the service, please all join in singing the Kontakion 'Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ/To You Champion General, a hymn that was composed and first chanted as thanksgiving for the intercessions of the Theotokos in protecting Constantinople. There is no more relevant time than now to beseech her intercessions.
- Write to your elected officials. A sample letter can be found here. Please personalize this letter and engage and inform your local authorities about the gravity of this situation, emphasizing the need for them to voice their opinions to the highest level of government. Find your elected officials in the Senate and House of Representatives.
- Sign our change.org petition
Statements on Hagia Sophia
- July 17, 2020 - Reflection of His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians
- July 16, 2020 - Holy Eparchial Synod Designates July 24 as a Day of Mourning
- July 16, 2020 - Holy Eparchial Synod Designates July 24 as a Day of Mourning (Ελληνικά)
- July 15, 2020 - Archdiocese and Roman Catholic Cardinal Common Statement
- July 15, 2020 - Archdiocese and Roman Catholic Cardinal Common Statement (Ελληνικά)
- July 15, 2020 - Archbishop Elpidophoros Interview with The National Herald
- July 14, 2020 - Islamic Society of North America Statement
- July 14, 2020 - HALC - Archbishop Elpidophoros Remarks
- July 13, 2020 - Archbishop Elpidophoros Interview with BBC About Hagia Sophia
- July 13, 2020 - Archbishop Elpidophoros Interview with BBC about Hagia Sophia (Ελληνικά)
- July 13, 2020 - United Muslims of America Statement
- July 11, 2020 - Encyclical from Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Holy Eparchial Synod on Hagia Sophia
- July 1, 2020 - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Statement